spark

plural sparks

1. A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.

   Synonyms: cinder, ember, gnast, funk

2. A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
3. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

   Synonyms: scintilla, scintillation, sparklet, glint, twink

4. figurativelyA small amount of something, such as an idea or romantic affection, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire.

   , Book IV, Chapter XVII But though we have, here and there, a little of this clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge

   3 more examples

   if any spark of life be yet remaining

   c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene vi]

   When the latter disk showed some sparks, Moman contacted MGM's Jim Vienneau, who picked up the waxing for national release.

   1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, →ISBN, page 173

   Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.

   2013 September 1, Phil McNulty, BBC Sport

   Synonyms: beginning, germ, glimmer, scintilla, ace, atom, thought, atomy

5. Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa.
6. in the plural sparks but treated as a singularA ship's radio operator.
7. UKslangAn electrician.

   At the other extreme, with limitless budgets all they have to do is dream up amazing lighting rigs to be constructed and operated by the huge team of gaffers and sparks, with their generators, discharge lights, flags, gobos and brutes.

   1999, Des Lyver, Graham Swainson, Basics of Video Lighting, page 103

   Synonyms: juicer, sparky

8. cellular automataA small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off.
9. in pluralobsoletethieves' cantA diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery.

present singular third person sparks · participle present sparking · participle past sparked · past sparked

1. figurativelytransitiveTo trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).

   One such investigation described how kindness can be contagious. It was sparked by reports of an outbreak of kindness on a cold December morning in 2012.

   2025 November 13, Kamala Thiagarajan, “If you're going to be kind to another human, today is the day to do it!”, in NPR

   2 more examples

   The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.

   2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport

   Following her disappearance, there were reports of several sightings of Leah throughout Washington, though most could easily be chalked up to sensationalism or misinformation. But even among these, one particular tip would spark the police force’s interest.

   2026 August 24, Sthitapragya Chakraborty, “Leah Roberts, 23, Disappeared on a Kerouac-Inspired Road Trip in 2000. Her Jeep Was Found Crashed in Washington”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 25 Aug 2026

2. transitiveTo light; to kindle.

   Byron sparked the cigarette. He sucked it dramatically and thrust it into Marko's hand.

   2009, Alex Jenson, The Serotonin Grand Prix, page 12

3. intransitiveTo give off a spark or sparks.

   Synonyms: scintillate

4. intransitiveTo shoot; to fire

   [Streetlife]:Fuck a peace talk, let the gun spark, on the streets of New York.

   1998 November 10, “Grid Iron Rap” (track 17), in Tical 2000: Judgement Day, performed by Method Man, Streetlife (rapper)

   2 more examples

   All of a sudden, everybody tuggin', everybody dark. Everybody gums runnin', 'til the guns spark.

   2004, “U Ain't A Killer” (track 10), in The War Mixtape, performed by Akala (rapper)

   Guns spark in the dark, it was all just a part of the eighties Bronx scene that created all.

   2022 February 22, “Raw Hip Hop” (track 2), in IMAMCRU12, performed by KRS-One

plural sparks

1. A gallant; a foppish young man.

   The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.

   1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Alma: Or, The Progress of the Mind”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   Jones had no sooner quitted the room, than the petty-fogger, in a whispering tone, asked Mrs Whitefield, “If she knew who that fine spark was?”

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

   He will retrieve his errors yet—their worthy Father, once my honour'd master, was at his years nearly as wild a spark.

   1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, I.ii

   Synonyms: blade, masher, barbermonger, beau, blade, blood, buck, carpet knight

2. A beau, lover.

   Synonyms: suitor, swain, admirer, adorer, baby, beloved, courter, crush

present singular third person sparks · participle present sparking · participle past sparked · past sparked

1. archaicintransitiveTo woo, court; to act the gallant or beau.

   Synonyms: make love, romance, solicit, address, beau, bedear, chase after, court

1. A surname.